They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 164 One Hundred Taels, Had She Ever Seen It Before?

Xu Zhichun had expected this, so he remained calm and gently shook his head: "I'm really sorry, Young Master Zeng, but I have signed a contract with Manager Tang of Lotus Restaurant, and this ice jelly will only be supplied to his family."

Shopkeeper Fang scoffed dismissively, "How much money can you make from this? We'll buy your recipe and give you a hundred taels at once. Isn't that enough sincerity?"

Has she ever seen a hundred taels of silver?
You wouldn't even dare to imagine it, would you?

Xu Zhichun smiled awkwardly but politely: "It's not enough!"

"Given the choice between a steady, long-term approach and a one-time buyout with no follow-up, I would naturally choose a steady, long-term approach. Even small merchants know that having a recipe ensures their descendants won't have to worry about anything. Of course, I want to keep my family's recipe as well."

Young Master Zeng smiled enigmatically: "Madam Xu, you're thinking too simply. Small vendors and humble businesses don't have recipes like yours. At most, they might cook mutton better than others or make osmanthus cakes that are more delicate and fragrant. Such skills are something that can be preserved. But this ice jelly, only your place has it. I suppose you know it's a good thing, right? Lotus Restaurant and Biyue Tea House attract so many customers with it. Who wouldn't order a serving when they go? After all, no other place has it."

"You not only have ice jelly, but also gray tofu, gray bean shreds, and even your braised meat tastes better than other stalls. Nowadays, many wealthy families in the city are eyeing your stall, and they rush to buy up all the braised meat as soon as it's available. Madam Xu, if people find out that even something as simple as ice jelly belongs to you, do you think you can still live a peaceful life?"

Xu Zhichun's hands and feet felt cold.

Her worst fears have finally come true.

She even secretly wiped away a cold sweat. Fortunately, the ice jelly was not sold to retail but exclusively to Manager Tang; otherwise, she probably would have been in trouble long ago.

Shopkeeper Fang sneered, "Madam Xu is surely not stupid. Now you understand, right? People from humble backgrounds like yours are lucky if they can make enough to eat and wear. You're born lowly but have ambitions that far exceed your station. You're destined for a bad end. We're being generous by giving you a hundred taels of silver now. There are plenty of ruffians out there who will set traps for you or keep pestering you. Forget a hundred taels, you might even have to pay them out of pocket."

Young Master Zeng: "If you think one hundred taels is too little, we can discuss it further. Our Zeng family does not engage in forced buying and selling."

Xu Zhichun almost laughed out of anger.

Isn't this just forced buying and selling? So she should be grateful to Young Master Zeng and Manager Fang for not robbing her and for not making her pay extra?

There are such people in the world, that's true, but is that reasonable? Is this her only choice? What good things have become her fault?
Xu Zhichun still refused, saying, "I cooperated with Manager Tang first, and the contract in black and white cannot be disregarded. I'm really sorry."

"you--"

"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with alcohol!"

"Do you two have anything else to do? If not, we should head back."

"you!"

Shopkeeper Fang was furious and glared at Xu Zhichun, about to start cursing, but Young Master Zeng spoke up first: "Madam Xu, don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Why don't you go back and think about it first? Our Zeng family is truly sincere."

"No need to consider it anymore. The formula is mine, and I have my own ideas."

"Madam Xu is on good terms with Xiao Yan, yet she's cooperating with the Lotus Restaurant. Doesn't that mean she doesn't respect the Zeng family at all?"

Xu Zhichun was somewhat surprised, and even more disdainful.

That's all the Zeng family has to offer.

When did Young Master Zeng and Zeng Mingzhu ever treat Xiao Yan like a younger sister? Whenever they see Xiao Yan, they are either disdainful or aloof, never giving her a second glance. Their words are either full of disdain or blame. They even use Xiao Yan to plead for him, which is truly laughable.

If he hadn't brought up Xiao Yan, Xu Zhichun wouldn't have looked down on him so much.

Now that things have come to this point, of course she has to speak up for her good friend to prevent her from being wronged. Some people even think that everyone is like them.

"Young Master Zeng, you've misunderstood. For Xiao Yan's sake, I initially planned to sell this ice jelly to your Sifang Restaurant. But when I went to talk to them, your manager probably thought I wasn't worthy of entering your restaurant. He rudely interrupted me before I could finish speaking and kicked me out. So, I went to Lianhua Restaurant to try my luck."

Young Master Zeng couldn't help but look at his uncle. The reputation of Sifang Restaurant wasn't good; he'd heard that some of the staff were sycophantic and looked down on others, but he hadn't paid much attention to it.

Their restaurant was originally a high-end restaurant, catering to wealthy guests. What does the opinion of ordinary people matter?
Ordinary people can't afford it anyway.

Some people become more cunning the poorer they are, and their mouths are full of sour remarks. You don't need to pay attention to those kinds of people.

But he didn't expect that because of this, Sifang Restaurant would lose a great opportunity for development!

Manager Fang was taken aback, then said somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, "What do the underlings know? If you were so kind, you could have just sent Xiao Yan directly. It's clear you're not very thoughtful."

"So Manager Fang still thinks your employees are right, and I'm the one who's wrong?"

"Why don't you let Xiaoyan go back to her parents' home? What can't be resolved that way?"

"It is indeed my fault. I didn't expect your restaurant's waiters to be so capable! I came here with good intentions, and I was humiliated for no reason. Manager Fang, am I not entitled to have a temper? The things are not something I absolutely have to give you. Why should I consider your interests after being humiliated, and should I send Xiao Yan back to her parents' home?"

"So you did it on purpose!"

"Manager Fang is indeed a manager. Whether he is reasonable or not is not important. What is important is that he must have a strong presence and a loud voice."

"you--"

“There’s no point in saying this now,” Young Master Zeng interjected. “It’s not surprising that the servants are ignorant; after all, they’re not very knowledgeable. Why should Madam Xu bother with them? Madam Xu should go back and think it over. To be honest, if this ice jelly matter gets out, the consequences might be worse than Madam Xu thinks.”

"No need to think about it anymore, let's just expose ourselves."

"Heh, let me give you another piece of advice, Madam Xu: don't be so naive."

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I really have my own ideas."

Shopkeeper Fang grew impatient and sneered disdainfully, "Why bother arguing with her? She'll come begging to us when she hits a wall. Madam Xu, the price won't be the same then."

Xu Zhichun deliberately said, "Can't it even be done for Xiaoyan's sake?"

Manager Fang scoffed dismissively. What face did Zeng Xiaoyan have in the Zeng family? She was simply hated by everyone.

"Of course not."

"That's true. In business, no one's face matters."

"Hmph, you're quite sensible."

"That's only right. We shouldn't have considered Xiaoyan's feelings in the first place, so as not to put her in a difficult position. If you feel the same way, so do I."

"."

Manager Fang felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Young Master Zeng felt embarrassed and his face flushed. He had just brought up Xiao Yan, but he clearly didn't like this half-sister. Why was he bringing her up? He had really acted rashly, only to be ridiculed and mocked for no reason.

Xu Zhichun took his leave.

(End of this chapter)